Jonathan St. Clair is living a dream many baseball fans have but under tragic circumstances. He is visiting each of the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums within 30 days to raise awareness about water safety, following the heartbreaking loss of his 21-month-old son, Jasper, to drowning.
The incident occurred when Jasper was left unattended near an ungated pool while under the care of a trusted babysitter. Despite doctors’ efforts, Jasper did not survive. St. Clair’s initiative emerged from this tragedy, aiming to inform families about the dangers of water and the necessity of early swim education.
“He hadn’t learned how to swim or attended swim lessons. We were shocked by the danger water posed,” St. Clair explained in an interview before attending the sixth game of his tour in Toronto.
The journey involves collaboration with several organizations across the cities he visits. His aim is to make people aware that drowning is a threat to anyone.
Connecting with others who have shared similar experiences has provided St. Clair some comfort, especially as he engages with families who understand the loss he endures.
St. Clair’s strategy includes wearing a Wave Maker Tour life jacket and an MLB cap adorned with logos from all 30 teams, providing natural conversation starters with fellow fans.
“Wearing a life vest attracts curiosity, leading to conversations about water safety. It’s been a fantastic way to engage with people,” St. Clair noted.
This tour comes at a significant time, with St. Clair having visited around 10 or 11 stadiums prior to the trip. For him, each stadium symbolizes where Jasper should be.
“Though Jasper couldn’t play, I know he would have loved baseball. This campaign strives to generate awareness about drowning prevention,” St. Clair said.
Travel presents unexpected challenges, such as rainouts and canceled flights. Despite these hurdles, St. Clair remains hopeful that widespread awareness will emerge from his efforts.
“The goal extends beyond these 30 days. It’s about the lasting impact we’ve achieved in raising awareness,” he stated.
Reflecting recent drowning incidents in Ohio, St. Clair remains hopeful the awareness he’s working to promote will make a difference.
“While complete elimination of drowning incidents isn’t realistic, increasing awareness can help save lives,” St. Clair said.
Sustained by the support of family and collaborators, St. Clair is determined to make each visit count, hoping his campaign leaves a lasting mark.
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